Are your laser cutting projects not coming out as well as you’d hoped?
Creating designs with intricate details and narrow spaces can result in a product that lacks structural integrity - plus, it costs you more money to manufacture.
Let us show you how you can optimize your designs to save you time, money, and lots of disappointment.
Use These Secrets to Improve Your Laser Cutting Projects
Lasers can be used for a wide range of metal fabrication products. They are a budget-friendly choice with several key benefits over other cutting methods — but how can you get the best results with your projects?
Pick the Right Materials for Your Project
Although laser cutting is capable of cutting a variety of materials, not all projects or designs belong on every material. Think of what your product needs to endure - heat, humidity, weight, or wind, and choose what works for durability and your budget.
The thickness of your chosen material will affect the overall cost because it will take longer for the laser to cut through thicker metal. If you have a laser in-house, this will increase your cost of labor and wear and tear on the machine.
If you use an outside manufacturing company, you are typically charged for how long the laser machine runs when cutting your product. You’ll be charged more for the extra time it takes to cut the metal.
Optimize Your Design
Your design might be fabulous, but is it ready for laser cutting? Does it maximize the use of the material? Does it contain narrow parts, superfluous details, or wide engraved surfaces? These could weaken the structural integrity as well as create a more costly production for the extra work involved.
Any small or narrow spaces in your design will take longer for the laser to cut. As mentioned above, the longer it takes for the laser to complete the product, the more you will have to shell out. Keeping your designs simple can help keep the cost down and improve the durability of your finished product.
Improve Your Cut Files
Cut files can be created in 2D or 3D using different types of design software. These types of software create vector files that the laser can read. It determines where to cut based on the vector paths you created in your design. Creating your designs with the right software and keeping it simple are the keys to making a great cut file.
Software Options
- CorelDRAW
- Adobe Illustrator
- AutoCAD - FREE for students.
- Inkscape - FREE, open-source.
- Solidworks
- Autodesk Inventor - FREE for students.
- Autodesk Fusion - FREE for students.
Burr Free Laser Cutting
Burrs can be a problem with other methods of cutting. A burr is a jagged, sharp edge that is left behind from the cutting process. Removing burrs can be costly but necessary.
They can cause a severe laceration to even your most cautious employees. One of the most significant benefits to lasers is that they provide a much smoother, burr-free finish. Burrs can still happen, but their appearance is drastically reduced by laser cutting.
Picking the Perfect Laser for Your Project
Knowing how the different types of lasers work can help you adjust your design and make it optimal for the laser doing the cutting. There are 3 main types of lasers, and each one cuts the material in a different way. There are CO2 lasers, fiber lasers, and crystal Lasers.
3 Types of Lasers
CO2 Lasers: A CO2 laser is the most common. It has a high accuracy rate and is easier to control. These lasers are best for plastic, glass, textiles, and wood. They are used for metal materials.
Fiber Lasers: This type of laser has a more powerful beam than CO2 lasers with a similar electrical output. The beam is so focused and intense that it makes it ideal for metals and some plastics. They require little to no maintenance and tend to outlast the other types of lasers.
Crystal Lasers: These lasers are similar to fiber lasers, except they use crystals instead of glass and pump diodes to generate the same amount of beam intensity. They tend to not last as long as the fiber laser machines, however. They can cut the same materials as the fiber laser.
Hire an Experienced Manufacturer
If purchasing a laser doesn’t make sense for your company, you should consider outsourcing the work. It could end up being more cost-effective for you in the long-run, and give you one less machine you have to operate and maintain. This will free up you and your employees for other, more critical work.
EMS is here to help you with all of your fabrication and manufacturing needs. Contact us to find out how we can help you improve your laser cutting projects.